Clemson finally found its spark last weekend in Chapel Hill. Now, the Tigers will look to carry that momentum into another primetime road matchup, this time under the lights in Chestnut Hill.
The Tigers (2-3, 1-2 ACC) will square off against the Boston College Eagles (1-4, 0-3 ACC) on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, live on ACC Network. It’s the second leg of Clemson’s only back-to-back road stretch this season and another chance to prove that their offensive explosion against North Carolina was no fluke.
A Statement in Chapel Hill
Entering last Saturday’s showdown at North Carolina, Clemson’s season sat at a crossroads. A 1-3 record and early conference struggles had the Tigers desperate for a jolt, and they delivered one in emphatic fashion.
Behind an explosive first quarter that saw 28 points in just 15 minutes, Clemson overwhelmed the Tar Heels from the opening play. Cade Klubnik turned in his best performance of the year, completing 22 of 24 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns, while the Tigers’ defense suffocated UNC to just 78 total yards in the first half.
It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone what Clemson football can look like when everything clicks. Now, the challenge is backing it up on the road again.
A Competitive Boston College Team
Boston College enters the matchup at 1-4, but the Eagles have been competitive in nearly every game they’ve played. Their only lopsided loss came last weekend at Pitt, where they fell 48-7. Before that, they battled Michigan State in a 42-40 double-overtime thriller, fell narrowly at Stanford (30-20), and came up just short against Cal (28-24).
In his second year leading the Eagles, Bill O’Brien has retooled the offense around Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan, who has thrown for 1,277 yards, nine touchdowns, and just three interceptions through five games. While Lonergan struggled last week (9-of-18 for 89 yards), he’s been efficient overall in O’Brien’s system, which leans heavily on the passing game.
Boston College averages 313.4 passing yards per game compared to just 85 yards on the ground, led by wideout Lewis Bond, who has 38 catches for 366 yards. Turbo Richard anchors the rushing attack with 331 yards and four touchdowns on 64 carries.
Freshman quarterback Shaker Reisig also made a short but strong appearance in the Pitt game, going 3-for-3 for 70 yards and a touchdown, the Eagles’ lone score of the day.
Clemson’s Focus: Consistency
Clemson’s showing against UNC was arguably its most complete effort of the season with fast starts, creative play calling, and a defense that suffocated the Tar Heels from start to finish. Now, the focus is sustaining that level of play.
Offensively, the Tigers rediscovered their identity. The return of tempo and play design that was highlighted by Antonio Williams’ 75-yard double pass to TJ Moore on the first play of the game set the tone early. Klubnik spread the ball around to a wide range of targets, including Adam Randall and tight end Christian Bentancur, who each found the end zone twice.
Defensively, Clemson imposed its will. The front seven controlled the line of scrimmage, led by Stephiylan Green, Sammy Brown, and Tyler Venables, while the secondary held its ground against UNC’s receivers.
That same intensity will be key against a Boston College team that likes to air it out and test secondaries downfield.
The Last Time They Met
The last meeting between these programs came in 2022, also in Chestnut Hill, when Clemson rolled to a 31-3 victory. That night, the Tigers dominated in all phases, holding the Eagles to just 34 rushing yards and controlling the game from start to finish.
Two years later, the environment will be similar: a cool New England night game under the lights, and a Clemson team looking to keep building confidence as the second half of the season approaches.
What to Watch
1. Early Energy
After a 28-point first quarter against UNC, Clemson proved what a fast start can do. Carrying that same urgency on the road could be crucial.
2. Cade Klubnik’s Momentum
Klubnik played with confidence, efficiency, and command last week. Another sharp performance would go a long way in keeping the offense balanced and unpredictable.
3. Secondary vs. BC’s Passing Game
Boston College throws often and spreads the field wide. Clemson’s defensive backs will be tested against one of the more pass-heavy systems in the conference.
Clemson’s trip to Chestnut Hill presents another opportunity, not just to even up its record, but to show that the version of the Tigers who dominated in Chapel Hill is here to stay.
